Families
Tenerife and Lanzarote are useful for resort choice and outdoor variety; Dubai suits families seeking a warmer city-and-beach break.
Travel Guides · Winter Sun
Best Winter Sun Destinations for UK Travellers
Compare beach appeal, flight time, holiday style and winter character before choosing your escape.
Best winter sun holidays
Where are the best places for winter sun from the UK?
The best place for winter sun depends on how far you want to fly and whether you want beach time, family activities, sightseeing or luxury. Tenerife and Lanzarote are the key short-haul winter sun holidays; Dubai offers a warmer, longer-haul city-and-beach escape; Cyprus, the Algarve and Antalya are milder alternatives with their own strengths.
Compare winter climate character, flight-time context, beach appeal and who each destination suits below. Conditions are seasonal rather than guaranteed, so check current forecasts and provider details when planning December, January or February travel.
At a glance
| Destination | Flight time | Winter temp | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenerife | Around 4 hours | Mild, spring-like days | Families |
| Lanzarote | Around 4 hours | Mild and often breezy | Couples |
| The Algarve, Portugal | Around 2h 45m | Mild Atlantic winter | Couples |
| Cyprus and Paphos | Around 4h 45m | Mild Mediterranean winter | Couples |
| Dubai, UAE | Around 7 hours | Warm and dry-feeling | Families |
| Antalya and the Turkish Riviera | Around 4 to 5 hours | Mild Mediterranean winter | Value-focused couples |
In this guide
- Tenerife
- Lanzarote
- The Algarve, Portugal
- Cyprus and Paphos
- Dubai, UAE
- Antalya and the Turkish Riviera
1
Tenerife
A dependable short-haul winter escape with south-coast beaches, volcanic scenery and enough resort choice for families and couples. Weather still varies, but it is one of the strongest options when outdoor time matters.
- Flight time
- Around 4 hours
- Winter climate character
- Mild, spring-like days
- Best months
- November to March
- What type of trip
- Beach, resort and volcanic-island breaks
- Who it suits best
- Families, couples and active beach breaks
2
Lanzarote
A volcanic Canary Island with dry-feeling winter weather, distinctive landscapes and practical resort bases. It is good for couples and families who want beach walks, food and low-key exploring.
- Flight time
- Around 4 hours
- Winter climate character
- Mild and often breezy
- Best months
- November to March
- What type of trip
- Volcanic scenery and relaxed resort holidays
- Who it suits best
- Couples, families and landscape lovers
3
The Algarve, Portugal
The shortest-flight option here for coastal walks, golf, food and a quieter off-season atmosphere. It is more about outdoor lunches and sightseeing than dependable winter beach swimming.
- Flight time
- Around 2h 45m
- Winter climate character
- Mild Atlantic winter
- Best months
- October – April
- What type of trip
- Short breaks, longer relaxed stays
- Who it suits best
- Couples, walkers and short breaks
4
Cyprus and Paphos
A Mediterranean choice for archaeology, harbour dining and a slower pace. Paphos is especially useful for combining cultural days, coastal walks and relaxed resort time.
- Flight time
- Around 4h 45m
- Winter climate character
- Mild Mediterranean winter
- Best months
- December – March
- What type of trip
- Relaxed winter breaks, sightseeing holidays
- Who it suits best
- Couples, families and sightseeing
5
Dubai, UAE
The warmest, most city-led option in this comparison, with beach hotels, dining, shopping and desert experiences. It suits travellers happy to take a longer flight for a more reliably warm feel.
- Flight time
- Around 7 hours
- Winter climate character
- Warm and dry-feeling
- Best months
- November – March
- What type of trip
- Long-haul winter sun, city + beach holidays
- Who it suits best
- Families, couples and luxury stays
6
Antalya and the Turkish Riviera
A resort-led Turkish Riviera option with historic towns, all-inclusive choice and beach areas. Winter is better for culture, food and a quieter resort pace than for guaranteed beach conditions.
- Flight time
- Around 4 to 5 hours
- Winter climate character
- Mild Mediterranean winter
- Best months
- November to February for quieter stays
- What type of trip
- Resort, history and food-led holidays
- Who it suits best
- Value-focused couples, families and all-inclusive stays
Choose by priority
Which winter sun destination suits you?
Couples
Consider Lanzarote for volcanic scenery, Paphos for history and harbour evenings, or the Algarve for a shorter, quieter escape.
Beaches and warmth
Dubai has the warmest feel; Tenerife and Lanzarote are stronger short-haul choices. Algarve, Cyprus and Antalya are more seasonal.
December, January and February
For the deepest winter months, compare current forecasts and seasonal opening information. Dubai, the Canaries and Cyprus offer distinctly different experiences.
Next steps
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